Walking in Complete Freedom

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.                               2 Corinthians 3:17

I park in a cage. In my condo complex, a special area is set aside for residents to drive their cars into; it  is enclosed by a giant metal cage that is secure. The gate closes behind me when I am in, and no nonresident can come in.

When I walk from my car to the door of my building even late at night, I feel complete safety inside the cage. I take my time unloading my groceries, walk at a leisurely pace, and am unconcerned if I see someone walking toward me. Outside the cage is a different story. I pick up the pace to get from my car to the building.

Being a Christian is like that. I have given up my freedom to submit my will to His. In giving up my freedom, I have never felt more free. I walk this world in the leisurely safety of knowing I am in His care. I no longer believe anything on earth can protect me, but I rest in the knowledge that I am inside the cage of His love, mercy, and protection. Anything that comes my way has been sifted through His fingers and my merciful Father has ordained the outcome. He will prevent it, walk me through it, provide a means of escape, or use it for my eternal good. I have no doubts about that. He settled that with me long ago in His Word that is full of promises from a God that constantly describes Himself as full of compassion. Exodus 34:5-7, Psalms 78:38, 86:15, 103:13, 111:4, 112:4, 116:5, 145:8.

Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. Psalm 118:5

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

The Bible is full of ironies. It is in giving up our rights, lives, and freedom we are truly free. I avoided giving my whole heart to God for many years because there was so much I did not want to give up. Mostly, I wanted to direct my own life and not defer to anyone to be sovereign over my choices. I had no idea that it would be like setting down a giant burden the day I gave the controls to our Sovereign God and released the reins of my life. I felt like an amateur pilot that had been trying to make a landing in an emergency situation who suddenly had a senior pilot take the wheel and guide things so much better. It was a relief. It has been a life of joy.  Romans 6:22, I Corinthians 7:22.

I have a friend who has decided not to take a medication that could prolong her life. Hers has been a long and very fruitful life, lived in service of the Lord. The medication would have side effects that would not allow her to serve as fully as she loves to do. She is joyous at the thought of greeting Jesus soon. Like everything else she has submitted to the Lord in her life, she has submitted this. She has no fear. She is walking in the complete freedom of being a precious and much loved child of God.  Whether here or in Heaven, she lives in the safety and protection of being inside the cage of His protection and love.

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners. Isaiah 61:1

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:14

For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ.  I Corinthians 7:22